Buccaneers 24, Jets 16: Klubnik Starts After Geno Is Scratched

August 14, 2026 - East Rutherford - Geno Smith was supposed to take the first snaps. Aaron Glenn scratched him Thursday, precautionary, sore ankle from Wednesday's joint practice. Fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik started instead, went 5-of-7 for 56 yards, and led two scoring drives. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still beat the New York Jets 24-16, because Bailey Zappe threw a pick-six and Tampa Bay's backups finished the night.

Baker Mayfield did not play. Tampa Bay sat the starters. Glenn said Smith's ankle was "nothing to be alarmed about." The debut still belonged to Klubnik.

Two drives, then Zappe's first series

Klubnik knew he would play early. He did not know he would start. "I knew Geno was only going to play maybe eight to 10 plays and I was ready to go in early after that," he said. "So in my mind, I just got to go in eight to 10 plays earlier."

The opening drive went 12 plays, 65 yards. Completion to Mason Taylor for 12. Third-down throws of 21 and 11 to Garrett Wilson. Incomplete to Wilson from the 9 on third-and-goal. Cade York's 27-yard field goal. 3-0, Jets.

Second possession, backups in. Five-yard throw to first-rounder Omar Cooper Jr. Braelon Allen, back from a knee injury that limited him to four games last season, ran 31 yards for the touchdown. 10-0. Klubnik was done. Glenn: "Not surprised, not one bit with him. He did a good job."

Zappe's first series ended with undrafted rookie Ayden Garnes taking an interception 47 yards the other way. 10-10. That was the swing. Chase McLaughlin had already hit a 23-yard field goal. York answered from 38 at the half. 13-10, Jets.

Daniels and Williams finish it

Josh Williams ran 12 yards for a third-quarter score. 17-13, Tampa Bay. Jason Sanders hit a 47-yarder. 17-16. Jalon Daniels sneaked in from a yard with 3:24 left. 24-16. Daniels finished 10-of-15 for 111 yards. Connor Bazelak went 12-of-20 for 72.

The Jets had 284 yards to Tampa Bay's 245 and still lost. Allen ran 4 times for 44 yards and the long touchdown. Wilson caught 2 for 32. Brady Cook went 9-of-15 for 108 yards in reserve. Zappe: 6-of-10, 55 yards, two interceptions.

AthX Engine, if this were a regular-season card

Apply the AthX Engine NFL scoring table to the box, not a live weekly leaderboard.

Garnes's pick-six is the DB line that would have led the card: 30 for the interception, 6 for the TD, about 2.35 from 47 return yards, or roughly 38 fantasy points. Allen's 44 rush yards and touchdown is about 17 running-back points. Klubnik's 56 pass yards is about 4.5 quarterback points. Preseason production is not a weekly leaderboard until those lines are live, and it is not share price.

Track Smith, Mayfield, and the Jets on the marketplace.

*Sources: ESPN recap. Information only; not financial advice.*